By: Kristy Booher Angelo, Associate Athletic Director
For More Info: booherk@gilmour.org
Although the pandemic has brought about significant changes for the start of the 2020-2021 school year, the Gilmour Academy boys soccer team is quite comfortable on the field. The Lancers are off to an undefeated start three games into the season with wins against Elyria Catholic, Perry and Villa Angela-St. Joseph. And not only are those three tallies in the win column, but they are also three impressive shutout victories. Yes, that's right, Gilmour has yet to concede a goal this season, while outscoring its opponents 8-0.
That impressive statistic is in large part due to the back defensive line of Ian Baird '23, Michael Giancola '23, John Stack '23, Kyle Laws '22 and Andrew Minder '24. They have only allowed 14 shots on target so far this season, all of which have been saved by goalie and co-captain Matt Beck '21.
"Matt is easily one of the best goalkeepers in northeast Ohio," said head coach Joe Ciuni. "He is a four-year starter and has improved every year. He is intimidating to an opponent because of his size."
Beck now has 17 career shutouts and is chasing the all-time school record of 19.5, which was recorded by Dave Corvi '03 during the 1999-2002 seasons. In his time thus far with Gilmour, Beck has recorded a total of 344 saves with a season-high of 125 during his freshman campaign.
Offensively, center forward Alexander Beedles '22 leads the charge with five of the team's eight goals this year.
"Alexander is in the best condition of any player in the area," said Ciuni. "He also runs for our cross country program and is a top performer there as well. He has excellent foot skills, very quick feet and is often double teamed. He has great vision and moves without the ball to get himself open. Other coaches and referees are asking me about him, so others are also taking notice."
Gilmour's varsity boys soccer home games are being livestreamed this season, so you can catch Beedles, Beck, the back defensive line and the rest of the Lancers in action on www.gilmour.org/live.
#GoGA #WeAreGilmour